Shelf device for rolling unlike bottles

ABSTRACT

A shelf device for a cooler has a base member for a bottle to roll along by gravity feed. A guide member on the base member shifts the center of gravity of the bottle towards the base of the bottle to urge contact with a side panel so that the bottle maintains contact with the side panel and thereby roll in a straight path.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a merchandising display, and, more particularly, to a shelf device for displaying and dispensing beverage bottles with bottles laying on their sides for rolling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Merchandising display devices are used in convenience stores and other commercial environments to place containers of beverages for easy access by consumers. These devices typically take the form of a barrel, rack or chest positioned near a store entrance, near the cash register, at the end of an isle or other locations to spur an impulse purchase. Barrel and chest coolers have the advantage of placing the beverage containers within easy reach of a consumer at waist level instead of at eye level or knee level. However, chest and barrel coolers are generally unsuitable for use on a checkout counter or other countertop. Barrel coolers are generally to tall and chest coolers are generally too bulky. It is desirable to have a display device that is not bulky and can sit on a counter to spur impulse purchases.

It is desirable to display and dispense chilled bottles of beverage one at a time while using cooler space efficiently. Placing beverage bottles on their sides on a cooler shelf or in a cooler drawer facilitates gravity feed without the need for gravity feed mechanisms that use space needed for product. Also, rolling bottles on their sides simplifies the task of stopping forward motion of the bottles that may cause a standing bottle to topple. A problem with rolling bottles on their sides, however, is that as a bottle rolls its center of gravity shifts. A shifting center of gravity causes the bottle to deviate from a straight, centered rolling path sometimes causing a bottle to jam. When a bottle jams, it is more difficult for a consumer to retrieve the bottle.

Jamming can be minimized by manufacturing the shelf device and bottle to close tolerances so that the opportunity to roll askew is reduced. Unfortunately, limiting a shelf device to a particular container is not practical. A vendor needs the flexibility to stock a shelf device with whatever product is desired by the consumer. A vendor needs the flexibility to stock a shelf with any of various beverage containers knowing that beverage containers of like capacity by different manufacturers can have differing dimensions. Also, bottles may deform during transit or storage and may deform due to temperature. It is accordingly desirable to have a shelf device for displaying and dispensing beverage bottles of varying origins with the bottles laying on their sides for rolling without jamming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a shelf device comprises a base member having a top surface, left, right, front and rear edge portions. An upstanding left side panel is attached to the base member along the left edge portion, and an upstanding right side panel is attached to the base member along the right edge portion parallel to the left side panel. A guide member is disposed on the top surface of the base member parallel to the left and right side panels.

The guide member contacts the radius shoulder of a bottle and elevates the bottle to shift the center of gravity of the bottle toward the base of the bottle. With the center of gravity shifted, the base of the bottle maintains contact with the side panel of the shelf device so that the bottle rolls in a straight path. Slanting the top surface of the guide member further urges a shift in the center of gravity.

According to another aspect of the invention, a shelf device comprises a base member having a top surface, left, right, front and rear edge portions and defining a groove in the top surface extending longitudinally between the front and rear edge portions. An upstanding left side panel is attached to the base member along the left edge portion, and an upstanding right side panel is attached to the base member along the right edge portion parallel to the left side panel. A guide member is disposed in the groove and extends above the top surface of the base member parallel to the left and right side panels.

Because the guide member protrudes out of the groove, it contacts the bottle. As the guide member contacts the radius shoulder of the bottle, it elevates the bottle to shift the center of gravity of the bottle toward the base of the bottle. With the center of gravity shifted, the base of the bottle maintains contact with the side panel of the shelf device so that the bottle rolls in a straight path. Slanting the top surface of the guide member further urges a shift in the center of gravity.

These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate similar or identical features that are common to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a preferred embodiment of a cooler shelf device with a guide member for keeping bottles rolling in a straight path.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3-6 are sectional views similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating other preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a shelf device, in the form of a gravity feed tray 10, for a cooler 12 displays and dispenses beverage bottles 14 one at a time. Tray 10 has a base member 16 with a top surface 18, and edge portions. An upstanding left side panel 20 is attached to base member 16 along the left side edge portion. An upstanding right side panel 22 is attached to base member 16 along the right edge portion parallel to left side panel 20. Front panel 24 is attached to the base member along a front edge portion of the base member. Preferably, a rear panel 26 is attached to the base member along a rear edge portion of the base member. Top surface 18 defines a groove 28 that extends longitudinally between front and rear panels 24, 26.

A guide member 30 is disposed in the groove 28 and extends above the top surface 18 of the base member 16 parallel to the left and right side panels 20, 22. Guide member 30 is preferably constructed of an elastomeric material compression fitted into the groove, but may be metal or other material. As an alternative to a compression fit, guide member 30 may be fastened with an adhesive or the like.

In operation, the shoulder of the bottle 14 contacts guide member 30 which raises the shoulder and shifts the center of gravity toward the base of the bottle. As the bottle rolls, the liquid contents splash about causing a shift in the center of gravity. Previously, such a shift would cause the bottle to skew and sometimes become lodged between the side panels. The guide member 30 shifts the center of gravity toward the bottom of the bottle urging the bottle bottom to stay in contact with a side panel (right side panel 22, as illustrated).

Referring to FIG. 3, a guide member 330 is disposed in groove 328 and extends above top surface 318 of base member 316 parallel to the left and right side panels 320, 322. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 330 is slanted downward to the right to urge a shift in the center of gravity of the beverage bottle toward the right where the bottle bottom contacts right side panel 322. Guide member 330 is preferably constructed of an elastomeric material compression fitted into groove 330 but may be secured with an adhesive or the like.

Referring to FIG. 4, a guide member 430 is integrally formed with base member 416 extends above top surface 418 of base member 416 parallel to the left and right side panels 420, 422. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 430 is flat or horizontal but slanted can be slanted to urge an appropriate shift in the center of gravity of the bottle.

Referring to FIG. 5, a guide member 530 is separately formed and fastened to base member 516. Where guide member 530 is an elastomeric material fastening can be accomplished with an adhesive or the like, and where it is the same material as base member 516, sonic welding may be used. Guide member 530 extends above top surface 518 of base member 516 parallel to the left and right side panels 520, 522. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 530 is a flat or horizontal surface.

Referring to FIG. 6, a guide member 630 is separately formed and fastened to base member 616. Where guide member 630 is an elastomeric material fastening can be accomplished with an adhesive or the like, and where it is the same material as base member 616, sonic welding may be used. Guide member 630 extends above top surface 618 of base member 616 parallel to the left and right side panels 620, 622. As illustrated, the top surface of guide member 630 is slanted to urge an appropriate shift in the center of gravity of the bottle.

It can now be appreciated that a guide member disposed on the top surface of the base member parallel to the left and right side panels contacts the radius shoulder of a bottle and elevates the bottle to shift the center of gravity of the bottle toward the base of the bottle. It can also be appreciated that a guide member disposed in a groove and extending above the top surface of the base member parallel to the left and right side panels protrudes out of the groove to contact the radius shoulder of a bottle. With the center of gravity shifted, the base of the bottle maintains contact with the side panel of the shelf device so that the bottle rolls in a straight path. Slanting the top surface of the guide member further urges a shift in the center of gravity.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications as do not depart from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

ELEMENT LIST

-   10 gravity feed tray -   12 cooler -   14 beverage bottle -   16 base member -   18 top surface -   20 left side panel -   22 right side panel -   24 front panel -   26 rear panel -   28 groove -   30 guide member -   316 base member -   318 top surface -   320 left side panel -   322 right side panel -   328 groove -   330 guide member -   416 base member -   418 top surface -   420 left side panel -   422 right side panel -   430 guide member -   516 base member -   518 top surface -   520 left side panel -   522 right side panel -   530 guide member -   616 base member -   618 top surface -   620 left side panel -   622 right side panel -   630 guide member 

1. A shelf device, comprising: a base member having a top surface, left, right, front and rear edge portions and defining a groove in said top surface extending longitudinally between said front and rear edge portions; an upstanding left side panel attached to said base member along said left edge portion; an upstanding right side panel attached to said base member along said right edge portion parallel to said left side panel; and a guide member disposed in said groove and extending above said top surface of said base member parallel to said left and right side panels.
 2. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide member has a slanted top surface.
 3. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said guide member is elastomeric.
 4. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 1, including an upstanding front panel attached to said base member along said front edge portion.
 5. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 1, including: an upstanding rear panel attached to said base member along said rear edge portion; and an upstanding front panel attached to said base member along said front edge portion, said front panel having a lower elevation than said rear panel.
 6. A shelf device, comprising: a base member having a top surface, left, right, front and rear edge portions; an upstanding left side panel attached to said base member along said left edge portion; an upstanding right side panel attached to said base member along said right edge portion parallel to said left side panel; and a guide member disposed on said top surface of said base member parallel to said left and right side panels.
 7. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said guide member has a slanted top surface.
 8. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said guide member is elastomeric.
 9. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 6, including an upstanding front panel attached to said base member along said front edge portion.
 10. A shelf device, as set forth in claim 6, including: an upstanding rear panel attached to said base member along said rear edge portion; and an upstanding front panel attached to said base member along said front edge portion, said front panel having a lower elevation than said rear panel. 